FODDER-QUALITY IMPROVEMENT THROUGH CONTOUR PLANTING OF LEGUME-SHRUB GRASS MIXTURES IN CROPLANDS OF RWANDA HIGHLANDS/

The leguminous woody shrub species Sesbania sesban and Calliandra calo thyrsus were planted with the grasses Pennisetum purpureum and Setaria splendida on contour lines in association with wheat and beans in ord er to improve the grass based fodder system in the Buberuka highlands of Rwanda. Setaria, calliandra and sesbania showed a higher productivi ty when shrub and grass species were mixed than in the sole stand. The crude protein yield of all grass-shrub mixtures was higher than in gr asses alone and the crude protein of the grasses was increased when co mbined with a leguminous shrub. Calliandra with Setaria gave the highe st fodder quality and showed the lowest competition with crops. An opt imal system for satisfying dry matter and protein requirements of loca l and improved cattle was estimated by linear programming. Shortest le ngth of fodder planting is obtained by the pennisetum based system in sole stand and in combination with calliandra. The crop loss was the l east when Setaria was grown alone or in combination with calliandra. F rom production, nutrition and economic considerations it appears that leguminous shrubs have a role in improving fodder production in the Rw andan highlands.